Some workers fired in prayer break dispute have their jobs back

Published 8:00 pm, Thursday, October 16, 2008

Dozens more among the roughly 100 workers who were fired last month are still looking for work, East African Community Council member Graen Isse said.

The dispute happened after Muslim workers requested an earlier lunch break on the evening shift at the meatpacking plant during the holy month of Ramadan, so they could pray and end their fasting for the day. Muslims fast between sunrise and sundown during Ramadan.

Other employees argued that the Muslim workers were asking for special treatment.

JBS Swift changed the break time, but Muslim workers said it was not early enough, and about 300 walked away from their jobs last month.

Company officials say workers were told they would be fired if they did not return.

United Food Commercial Workers Local 7 filed grievances on behalf of fired workers who wanted their jobs back. Local 7 representatives did not return calls for comment.

Isse said that 16 fired workers have their jobs back, and 20 others have found employment elsewhere in town. About 50 to 60 others are still looking for work, generally in assembly or cleaning jobs where they don't have to speak English, he said.

At least 100 East Africans continue working at the plant. JBS Swift officials declined comment on the situation regarding Muslim workers.